Reproducibility of Grading in Chronic Intervillositis of Unknown Etiology

Abstract

Chronic intervillositis of unknown etiology (CIUE) is a rare placental inflammatory process associated with pregnancy loss and recurrence. We conducted a quality assurance study to assess the diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility of CIUE grading at our institution. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from 20 CIUE cases (31 slides) were reviewed by 7 perinatal pathologists in 2 sequential rounds. Reviewers were instructed to use the diagnostic criteria they were presently following for CIUE and to grade each slide according to the Rota scheme. In the first round, 20 slides were assessed. The diagnostic accuracy was 94%, the average percent agreement of Rota grade was 79%, and the Fleiss’ kappa value for interobserver variability was 0.54. The results were reviewed by all pathologists with diagnostic and grading criteria agreed upon prior to the second round. In round 2, the remaining 11 slides were assessed. Diagnostic accuracy was 83%, the average percent agreement on Rota grade was 70%, and the Fleiss’ kappa value for interobserver variability was 0.36. Overall, diagnostic accuracy was high and agreement on Rota grade was moderate. Group review did not appear to improve accuracy. Simplifying CIUE grading to a low-grade/high-grade scheme (<50% or ≥50%) might improve grading reproducibility.